Shoulder pad construction



DecQl, 1964 G. E. MORGAN 3,1 8,

SHOULDER PAD CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Gerard flMoryur;

Dec. 1, 1964 G. E. MORGAN SHOULDER PAD CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1965 INVENTOR. Gerard EMorggan.

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United States Patent 3,158,871 SHOULDER PAD CONSTRUCTION Gerard E. Morgan, Glenview, 111., assignor to John T. Riddell, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 255,495 12 Claims. (Cl. 2-2) This invention relates to a shoulder pad construction and it is particularly directed to shoulder pads of the type worn by football players and the like.

It is established that the use of protective padding for football players and others engaged in contact sports will materially reduce the possibility of injuries and will also improve the quality and enjoyment of play from the standpoint of player participation and spectator interest. It has also been established, however, that the provision of certain protective constructions ha in many cases hampered the movement of players whereby they are reluctant to wear padding which will give ideal protection.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved shoulder pad construction which provides the necessary protection for the wearer while permitting a maximum amount of freedom of movement for the wearer.

It is a more particular object of this invention to pro vide a shoulder pad construction which is designed whereby the component parts thereof comprise relatively movable members which give in response to the application of force whereby movements of the wearer will not be impeded by the construction.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter, and for purposes or" illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a shoulder pad construction characterized by the features of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a detail view taken about the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view illustrating the interconnected body portions at the rear side of the constructron;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken about the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail view in section taken about the line 55 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail view in section taken about the line 66 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged detail view in section taken about the line 7-7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged detail view in section taken about the line 88 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a detail view in section taken about the line 9 of FIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating the underside of a body portion of the construction taken about the line 10-40 of FIGURE 9.

The shoulder pad construction of this invention includes a pair of body portions which define the shape of inverted Us whereby they can be fitted over the shoulders of the wearer. When worn, the construction thus includes parts which extend over portions of the chest and back of the wearer and additional interconnecting parts extending over the shoulders. Epaulets may be included which are contoured t0 fit around the extremities of the shoulder while the construction of this invention also may include additional protective members attached to the main body portions and adapted to fit around the upper arm beneath the epaulets.

- The body portions of the shoulder pad construction of this invention are divided into sections which are adapted to be moved relative to each other in response ice to the application of force. This force results from movement of the wearer, for example when he raises his arms. In any case, the main body portions of the construction yield in response to such forces, and elastic means are provided whereby the construction will be restored to its normal position when the forces are removed. It has been found that the unique design of the movable sections in the construction and the provision of the elastic means permits unusually great freedom of movement.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a shoulder pad construction 19 which comprises body portions 12 arid 14 which in turn define an opening 16 for receiving the neck of the wearer when the pads are in position. Each of the body portions include innermost sections 17 which comprise chest parts 18, back parts 20 and relatively narrow interconnecting parts 22.

. Positioned adjacent the sections 17, there are provided a pair of sections 24 and 26. The sections 26 overlap sections 24 while the sections 24 in turn overlap the sections 17. In the embodiment shown, the sections 24 and 26 comprise inverted U-shaped members generally corresponding to the interconnecting portions 22 of the sections 17. The ends of the sections 24 and 26 extend to the chest and back parts 18 and 20 of the sections 17.

A pair of epaulets 28 are movably connected to the outer sections 26. Strips 3%) which provide the connecting means for these epaulets permit pivotal movement thereof in a conventional fashion. Additional protective members 32 extend downwardly of the construction and these are connected to the body portions 12 and 14. These members 32 are provided with arm straps 34 whereby they can be worn to cover the bicep, tricep and deltoid muscular intersection of the upper arm where the humerus is otherwise exposed. As will appear, these members are also movably connected in the construction, and they do not impede movements of the arms.

Strap members 36 extend downwardly from the body portions 12 and 14 to provide the connection of strap 38. This latter strap encircles the lower rib cage of the wearer and lacing 40 is provided for securing of the strap. The rear central portion 41 of the strap 38 comprises an elastic material whereby the strap will be resiliently held in position when the laces 40 are tightened. This arrangement takes advantage of the taper of the body upward from the lower rib cage area whereby the pad construction can be held firmly in place. The arrangement eliminates the necessity for underarm straps which straps are often a source of irritation.

A pair of straps 42 connect the back parts 20 of the body portions while one of the chest parts 18 is provided with a plate means 44. This plate means defines a slot 46 which has an enlarged end 48 for receiving stud 50. When the stud 59 has been moved down the slot 46, strap means 52 is adapted to be snapped on at 54 to provide an additional means for securing the construction on the wearer.

It will be noted that resilient padding means 56 are included in the construction beneath the sections 22, 24

and 26 and beneath the protective members 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the protective padding comprises a plurality of resilient members and these members are preferably of the type described in applicants copending application Serial No. 164,368, filed January 4, 1961. A fabric covering 58 serves as a common supporting means for the padding members 56. t will be noted that the covering 58 can be fitted over the shoulders of the wearer while the epaulets and sections of the body portions can still be moved without disturbing the padding. The fabric 58 also serves to provide a connecting means for the protective members 32.

FIGURES 5 through 10 illustrate in detail the preferred manner for connecting the sections 17, 24 and 26 which make up the body portions of the shoulder pad construction. The connecting means comprise elastic strips 60 which are secured to the underside of one section as at 62 and which then extend around to the underside of the adjacent overlapping section where they are secured asat 64. These elastic strips serve to interconnect each of the sections and the strip means are provided at several locations as illustrated by the sectional views.

Additional connecting strips 66 and 68 maintain thesections in a normal position once they-are restored through the use of the elastic strips 60.

FIGURE 5 provides an indication of the reaction occurring between sections of the construction when a force is applied thereto. The sections 26 and 24 have moved relative to each other and they have both moved toward the section 17 so that the construction has contracted. This type of reaction can be'expected if the wearer raises his arms above his head. It will be noted that the strips 60 extend a substantial amount when the sections are moved inwardly relative to each other audit will also be appreciated that the elastic character of the strips 60 will provide for restoration of the construction to a normal position when the force has been'removed.

The materials employed in the construction of the 'described shoulder pads may comprise conventional mate, rials. Thus, the sections 17, 24 and 26, the epaulets 28, and the outer portion of the protective members 32 are preferably composed of relatively stifi? sheet-like materials such as various thermo-plastic or thermo-setting materials. The elastric strips 66 should be formed of materials capable of being extended by a substantial amount withrelatively little resistance and also capable of being restored without a significant change in dimensions. Conventional elastic materials having rubber-like characteristics'are suitable for these purposes. The strips 66 and 68 may be formed of nylon or other high strength fabric of a flexible character capable of withstanding substantial tensile forces.

As previously noted, the construction of'this invention permits substantial freedom of movement for the wearer. Thus, the body portions 12 and 14are not formed. of a one-piece rigid section of material and a substantial amount of restriction of movement is eliminated by reason of the multi-piece feature described.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made in the above described construction which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

l. Ina shoulder pad construction which includes opposed bc-dy portions formed in the shape of inverted Us and having chest parts, back parts and interconnecting shoulder parts, said body portions defining a central opening for the neck of the wearer and including means for securing said portions together, the improvement wherein said body portion is divided into at least outer and inner sections with the edges of said sections overlapping, said overlapping relationship occurring at least in the respec-v tive shoulder parts of said body portions, and elastic means interposed between and interconnecting adjacent sections, said elastic means extending at least between the inner edge of each outer section and the outer edge of an adjacent inner section, said outer sections being adapted to move inwardly relative to the inner sections in a generally telescoping manner, saidelastic means opposing any such inward movement, and said elastic means tending to restore said sections to a normal position.

2. In a shoulder pad construction which includes opposed body portions formedin the shape of inverted Us and having chest parts; back parts and interconnecting shoulder parts, said body portions defining a central opening for the neck of the wearer and including means for securing said, portions together, the improvement Whereineach of said body portions is divided into at least two. sectious comprisingan inner section and at least One ut r proximately to the dimensions of said central portions,

the edges of adjacent outer and inner sections overlapping, said overlapping relationship occurring at least in the respective shoulder parts of said body portions, and elastic means interposed between and interconnecting adjacent sections, said elastic means extending atleast between the inner edge of each outer section and the outer edge of an adjacent inner section, said outer sections being adapted to move inwardly relative to the inner sections in a generally telescoping manner, said elastic means opposing any such inward movement, andsaid elastic means tending to restore said sections to a normal position.

3. A shoulder pad construction in accordance with claim 1 including epaulets movablyattached to the outermost sections of said body portions, and further protective members movably attached to said body portions and extending downwardly therefrom;

4. A shoulder pad construction in accordance with claim 3 wherein saidbody portions, epaulets and protective members are formed of relatively stiff materials, and

include resilient padding means overlapping the interior surfaces of said body portions and said protective members.

' 5. In a shoulder pad construction which includes op-' and inner sections, said elastic means extending at least between the inner edge of each outer section andthe outer edge of an adjacent inner section, said outer sections being adapted to move inwardly relative to the inner sections in generally telescoping manner, said elastic means opposing any such inward movement, and said elast c means/tending to restore said sections to 'a normal position.

6. A shoulder pad construction in accordance with claim 5 including epaulets movably attached to. the outermost section of each of said body portions, said epaulets overlying a portion of said outermost sections, and further protective members movably attached to said body portions and extending downwardly therefrom.

7. A shoulder pad construction in accordance with claim 6 including strap means secured to the lower, ends of said body portions for encircling the lower rib cage of the wearer, and additional strap means secured to said protective members for holding said members adjacent the upper arms of the wearer.

8. A shoulder pad construction in accordance with claimTwherein said body portions, epaulets and protective members are formed of relatively stifi sheet-like materials, and including resilient padding means overlying the interior surfaces of said body portions and said protective members.

9f In a shoulder pad construction which includes opposed body portions defining a neck opening therebetween and formed in the shape of inverted Us, said body portions having chest parts, back parts, and interconnecting shoulder parts, the improvement wherein said body portions include first'inner sections, strap means securing said innerv sections together whereby said opening is defined therebetween, atleast one additional'section for each body portion, said additional sections overlapping sections adjacent thereto, elastic means interconnecting adjacent sections, each of said elastic means being secured at one end to the interior surface of one section and extending around the edge or": this one section with the other end thereof being secured to the interior surface of the adjacent overlapping section, said sections being adapted to move relative to each other in opposition to said elastic means when force is applied to said construction whereby said body portions are adapted to expand and contract, said elastic means serving to restore said sections to a normal position upon removal or" said 7 force.

10. A shoulder pad construction in accordance with claim 9 wherein said inner sections include widened portions at their ends for covering substantial portions of the chest and upper back of the wearer, and relatively narrow interconnecting shoulder parts formed in said inner sections, and wherein a pair of said additional sections is associated with each of said inner sections, said additional sections comprising relatively narrow members with the ends thereof extending to the widened portions of said inner sections.

11. In a shoulder pad construction which includes opposed body portions defining a neck opening therebetween and formed in the shape of inverted Us, said body portions having chest parts, back parts, and interconnecting shoulder parts, the improvement wherein said body portions include first inner sections, strap means securing said inner sections together with said opening being defined therebetween, at least one additional section associated with each body portion, said additional sections overlapping sections adjacent thereto, elastic means interconnecting adjacent sections, each of said elastic means being secured at one end to the interior surface of one section and extending around the edge of this one section with the other end thereof being secured to the interior surface of the adjacent overlapping sections, said sections being adapted to move relativeto each other in opposition to said elastic means when force is applied to said construction whereby said body portions expand and contract, said elastic means serving to restore said sections to a normfl position upon removal of said force, and including epauiets movabiy attached to the outermost one of said body portions, and further protective members movably attached to said inner sections and extending downwardly therefrom.

12. A shoulder pad construction in accordance with claim 11 wherein said body portions, epaulets and protective members are formed of relatively stirT sheet-like materials, resilient padding means overlying the interior sur faces of said body portions and said protective members, and a continuous covering located over said resilient padding means and providing an attaching means between said body portions and said protective members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A SHOULDER PAD CONSTRUCTION WHICH INCLUDES OPPOSED BODY PORTIONS FORMED IN THE SHAPE OF INVERTED U''S AND HAVING CHEST PARTS, BACK PARTS AND INTERCONNECTING SHOULDER PARTS, SAID BODY PORTIONS DEFINING A CENTRAL OPENING FOR THE NECK OF THE WEARER AND INCLUDING MEANS FOR SECURING SAID PORTIONS TOGETHER, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAID BODY PORTION IS DIVIDED INTO AT LEAST OUTER AND INNER SECTIONS WITH THE EDGES OF SAID SECTIONS OVERLAPPING, SAID OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP OCCURRING AT LEAST IN THE RESPECTIVE SHOULDER PARTS OF SAID BODY PORTIONS, AND ELASTIC MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN AND INTERCONNECTING ADJACENT SECTIONS, SAID ELASTIC MEANS EXTENDING AT LEAST BETWEEN THE INNER EDGE OF EACH OUTER SECTION AND THE OUTER EDGE OF AN ADJACENT INNER SECTION, SAID OUTER SECTIONS BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE INWARDLY RELATIVE TO THE INNER SECTIONS IN A GENERALLY TELESCOPING MANNER, SAID ELASTIC MEANS OPPOSING ANY SUCH INWARD MOVEMENT, AND SAID ELASTIC MEANS TENDING TO RESTORE SAID SECTIONS TO A NORMAL POSITION. 